Deadline To Apply For Arizona Spring Hunts Is Oct. 12

Sportsmen, women and children with visions of hunting a strutting turkey, a javelina unique to the southwest, a secretive black bear, or that once-in-a-lifetime buffalo have until Tuesday, Oct. 12 by 7 p.m. (MST) to submit a paper application to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for the annual spring drawing.

To apply, applicants will need the 2011 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Buffalo and Bear Hunt Draw Information booklet and application form that are available at more than 300 license dealers statewide, at Game and Fish offices, or by downloading them from www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Because postmarks do not count, applicants should use their best judgment to allow for enough mailing time if choosing to submit their application by U.S. mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052.

With the deadline looming, Game and Fish officials recommend hand-delivering finished applications to any of the seven department offices (Phoenix, Mesa, Flagstaff, Pinetop, Kingman, Tucson and Yuma). As a reminder, Monday, Oct. 11 is Columbus Day, and all department offices are closed.

Regardless of the method used, Game and Fish must receive all applications before the Tuesday, Oct. 12 by 7 p.m. (MST) deadline. Remember, postmarks do not count, and there is no online application system available.

• Youth — youth rates only apply to juniors-only hunts (higher rate applies if putting in for general hunts or a combination of juniors-only and general on the same application)

Youth hunters

Javelina, turkey, buffalo and bear are all big game species. Young hunters 10-13 are required to complete an Arizona-certified hunter education course before the hunt. For details, visit www.azgfd.gov/ education and select the hunter education link for information on classroom and online programs. Also for new hunters are two mentored javelina camps and three turkey camps. These free camps, hosted by experienced sportsmen, offer field assistance, hunting instruction, and food, providing a great place for families to start learning about hunting. Visit www.azgfd .gov/draw under the “Mentored Hunting & Juniors-only Events 2010-11 Season” information box on the right side of the page for more information.

For more information about hunting and the big game draw process, visit www.azgfd.gov /draw.